Stapleton takes over West Lafayette girls soccer

Not many first-time coaches are fortunate enough to walk into Stapleton’s situation.

When West Lafayette girls soccer coach Aaron Blessing resigned to accept a job in Kokomo, it created a need for a new leader of the defending Class A state champion.

After serving as an assistant on the state championship squad, Stapleton was hired to lead the Red Devils this season.

“I do know transitions can be bumpy, but they are motivated and skilled student-athletes,” Stapleton said.

Attesting to that, Stapleton already has been on the receiving end of several text messages from players asking to open the field.

“They can’t wait to get started and this going to make all the difference,” Stapleton said. “I am absolutely confident we can achieve success similar to last year.”

Stapleton, who works for the Indiana Department of Health, played collegiately at Purdue from 2004 to 2007. The Springfield, Ohio, native was a team captain and a Big Ten all-tournament team selection during her time with the Boilermakers.

Back with Bronchos

When Nate Kelsey was hired as the Lafayette Jeff boys soccer coach prior to last season, it was with the understanding that he would be in charge of the program for one season.

Jeff athletic director Peyton Stovall said via email that Kelsey had plans change that allowed him to continue coaching the Bronchos.

West Central hires Hall

Darren Rodriguez will coach in Friday’s Indiana Football Coaches Association North/South all-star game because of the success he had at West Central last season.

Rodriguez, however, will be coaching a Trojan rival when practices begin next month. The West Central board accepted Rodriguez’s resignation at Monday’s meeting. Rodriguez, who went 32-33 in six seasons at West Central, is the new coach at Culver, which opens its season on Aug. 22 at West Central.

After consecutive 1-9 seasons to start his head coaching tenure, Rodirguez led the Trojans to at least six victories in each of the next four years, including a 10-2 mark in 2012 and an 8-4 record last year.

Marc Hall was approved as Rodriguez’s successor, taking over a program that advanced to the sectional title game the last two seasons before falling to Winamac. Hall was the head coach at North Newton from 2008 to 2010, going 13-18.

Charlotte’s Hornets

At Rossville’s July 1 board meeting, Charlotte Fakes was approved as the Hornets’ new volleyball coach.

Fakes succeeds Jenny Knapp, who resigned in March. Rossville was 20-12 last season.